Seiurus aurocapillus

Ovenbirds are found in mature
forests of eastern and central North America. They are named after their
nest, a domed structure with a side entrance which resembles old wood
ovens. They are most often encountered walking on the forest floor,
searching the leaf litter and rotten wood for insects. However, they are
probably heard more often than seen, having a very bold and distinctive song.

Habitat: Will
breed in a variety of forest types, but generally needs large unbroken forest
tracts with a closed canopy and an open understory. In winter, they're
found in forests and brushy thickets.

Diet: Primarily feeds
on insects. They will also take earthworms, spiders, small amphibians and
snails, and occasionally, fruits, berries, and seeds.

Behavior: Forages by
hopping along the ground, searching for insects in rotten wood and in fallen
leaves. They will also occasionally take flying insects from midair.

Nesting: June and July

Breeding: The nest is an open cup of leafs,
mosses, twigs, pine needles, and other vegative material, placed in a protected
spot near or on a tree stump, among tree roots, or under a cut bank. The
female lays 4 or 5 eggs, and she alone incubates them. Both parents help
feed the young after the eggs hatch. The young leave the nest after about
10 days.

Migration: Summers throughout
central and southeastern Canada, locally in the northern Great plains, and
throughout most of the northeastern quarter of the United States. Winters
in Florida, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

South Dakota "Hotspot": Ovenbirds are easily found
at Newton Hills State Park in Lincoln County (southeastern part of the
state) in the spring. Good numbers breed there, and the sound of
Ovenbirds singing is very common in the park in May and early June.